Nail Care Implement

ABSTRACT

A nail care implement comprised of a closed loop having top and bottom extending surfaces containing abrasive or buffing material suitable for treating and grooming nails or cuticles and a method for grooming the nails using the implement.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/754,390, filed Dec. 28, 2005.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention is in the field of nail care implements for filing, shaping, and otherwise treating the nail, cuticle, or skin surfaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A wide variety of nail care implements are commercially available. Standard files, buffers, and the like can be purchased in just about any store for a nominal price. While these nail care tools are quite inexpensive, they do suffer from certain draw backs. For example, files used for abrading nail tips and surfaces are often in a hot dog shape. However, these types of files are not ergonomically designed, nor do they reach the more difficult to reach spots such as the corner of the nail.

There is a need for nail care implements that are capable of filing, buffing, and otherwise treating nails. Such an implement should be easy to grip and have the ability to reach difficult areas in the nail and cuticular surfaces to be treated.

There is also a need for nail care implements that are inexpensive to manufacture, easy to package, and have consumer appeal.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: depicts the nail care implement of the invention, which is in the form of a closed loop having abrasive surfaces on the top and bottom.

FIG. 2: is a side plan view of the nail care implement of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3: illustrates use of the implement of the invention for grooming nails.

FIG. 4: is a cross-sectional view taken across 4-4 of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The nail care implement 1 of the invention comprises a closed loop 2. The closed loop has an inner surface 3. If desired, the inner surface 3 may be covered with a thermoplastic material 4 that facilitates gripping, although that it not essential. If desired, the brand or other indicia may be imprinted on the inner surface 3 of thermoplastic material 4. Preferably, the closed loop 2 is oblong 6 in shape, of a dimension such that at least 3 fingers may be inserted into the closed loop 2 as best depicted in FIG. 3. Alternatively, if the user's hand is very small four fingers may be inserted into closed loop 2 to hold the implement 1 for use in performing the desired functions.

Closed loop 2 has a top extending surface 7, which extends past the dimension of closed loop to form a platform 8, which extends beyond the outer surface 9 of closed loop. Preferably, upper surface 7 is coated with an abrasive material 10 having an abrasiveness sufficient to perform the desired filing or grooming of the nail or cuticle surface.

Closed loop 2 has a bottom extending surface 11 which extends past the dimension of closed loop in another platform 12 that extends beyond the outer surface 13 of closed loop on the other end opposite outer surface 9. Preferably, bottom surface 11 is covered with an abrasive or buffing material 13 suitable for grooming nails. Outer surfaces 9 and 13 are preferably in a sloping concave configuration 14.

Thermoplastic material 4 may be of a spongy or rubbery texture. If desired, to further facilitate grip, markings 15 in the form of protrusions or slits may be molded into thermoplastic material 4 surface on one or both sides, but most preferably on the side that is gripped with the fingers.

Abrasive material 10 and abrasive or buffing material 13A may be affixed to the platform surfaces leaving a windowpane 16 around abrasive material 11 or buffing material 13. Windowpane 16 provides a more aesthetic appearance around the perimeter of abrasive and/or buffing material.

FIG. 2 depicts grip markings 15 which are found on the inner surfaces of both the top and bottom portions of closed loop 2. In FIG. 2 grip markings are small indentations 15A.

Nail care implement 1 may be gripped in a variety of different ways as depicted in FIG. 3. Depending on the size of the user's hand and fingers, either three or four fingers may be inserted into closed loop 2. The implement 1 is then used to buff or file the nails as depicted in FIG. 3.

The invention is also directed to a method for grooming nails using the implement of the invention.

While the invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth but, on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A nail care implement comprised of a closed loop having top and bottom extending surfaces containing abrasive or buffing material suitable for treating and grooming nails or cuticles.
 2. The implement of claim 1 wherein the top extending surface extends past the dimensions of closed loop in a platform.
 3. The implement of claim 1 wherein the bottom extending surface extends past the dimensions of closed loop in a platform.
 4. The implement of claim 1 wherein the top extending surface has an abrasive material affixed thereto.
 5. The implement of claim 1 wherein the bottom extending surface has a buffing material affixed thereto.
 6. The implement of claim 1 wherein the top surface has an abrasive material affixed thereto and the bottom surface has a buffing material affixed thereto, and the inner surface of closed loop has a thermoplastic material affixed thereto.
 7. The implement of claim 6 wherein the thermoplastic material has markings.
 8. The implement of claim 1 having at least one outer surface in a sloping concave configuration.
 9. The implement of claim 1 have two outer surfaces in a sloping concave configuration.
 10. The implement of claim 4 wherein the thermoplastic material has markings.
 11. The implement of claim 10 wherein the markings are depressions.
 12. The implement of claim 11 wherein the top and bottom surface of inner closed loop are covered with a thermoplastic material and the material has markings on the top and bottom surface of the thermoplastic material.
 13. The implement of claim 1 wherein the abrasive or buffing material on top or bottom surfaces is surrounded by a windowpane.
 14. The implement of claim 13 wherein the top surface contains abrasive material and the bottom surface contains buffing material and the abrasive and buffing material is surrounded by a windowpane.
 15. A method for grooming the nails using the device of claim
 1. 16. A method for filing the nails using the device of claim
 1. 17. A method for buffing the nails using the device of claim
 1. 18. A nail care implement comprised of an oblong closed loop having a top extending surface extending past the dimensions of closed loop in a platform, said platform covered with abrasive material and being surrounded by a windowpane; and a bottom extending surface extending past the dimensions of closed loop in a platform, said platform covered with abrasive material and being surrounded by a windowpane, said closed loop having an inner surface covered by a thermoplastic material that facilitates gripping.
 19. The implement of claim 18 wherein the thermoplastic material has markings.
 20. The implement of claim 19 wherein the markings are slits. 